Tuesday, June 18, 2013

What's Plan B?! BAM!

Keep Calm & Whats Plan B?from Google image

Plan B: Berlin/Amsterdam/Mystery Marathon is the back-up plan
of #TRIOof2013 - Paris/Luxembourg/Berlin (triple marathons of 2013)Paris Marathon: completed, awarded with finisher's medal but not on the official finisher's listLuxembourg Marathon: ran a half-marathon instead of a full

On Monday Motivation: Dream On!, I admitted that I am having problems motivating myself to continue with the running projects I set out to do in 2013.

They were all running projects made riding the high of having reached the goals of running Berlin/Amsterdam Marathons 2012 back to back.

I may not have had yet the super speed in my legs after 13 months of running (August, 2011 - September 2012) but you bet I have proven to myself, that I am able (and willing!) to go the distance. :D

Running Berlin and Amsterdam seems to be my faith. Literally! A lovely fellow Filipina, residing in California, whom I met online, gave me a generous gift: the starting number for Amsterdam Marathon. Her name? Faith! :)

Only a handful of people knew, that even before I begun training for Berlin Marathon 2012, I had already set my eyes on running Amsterdam Marathon 2012 three weeks later.

Until I knew that I "could" run another marathon three weeks after my first marathon, I was not ready to share it to everyone.

It was a personal goal, I was able to let myself dream because of the huge support of my family, and friends, most of whom I was in contact with online.

But this goal was also a "gift" to my psyche.

Even after finishing Berlin Marathon, my first ever marathon, I was still doubting myself, and yes, I needed another assurance in the form of Amsterdam Marathon, that I am indeed a runner, a strong runner, even if I am not a speedy runner (yet!).

Now, fast forward to 22 months of running.

My #TRIOfor2013 (run 3 marathons within a year) has been beset with hurdles after hurdles.

The trio this year will not be Paris/Luxembourg/Berlin, as I wished and hoped it will be.

Paris 2013-memorable first Spring marathon
experience because of a beautiful course, and the fact that I almost
gave up! We went to Paris knowing, that I was not prepared to run the
full, and I only wanted to at least run the half.
But half-way, I could not stop myself from finishing the full course.
It was sheer determination that made me finish the race with the
knowledge, that I would not be on the official list, and not get a medal
(and oh how I love getting medal).

I met many awesome runners along the way, who reminded me in the first
place why I run: to overcome hurdles I put in front of myself. In the
end I was not on the official list of finishers (minutes before I
crossed the finish line, they took the mat to register my finishing
time) but was graciously rewarded with the medal for finishing!

It'll be named Mystery Marathon because stubbornly searching and scheduling a marathon that starts with the letter M, which will be held at the ideal time - i.e. an event fitting the time table of the multiple marathons training schedule - is a huge challenge in itself, that will get in the way of focusing on running three consecutive marathons in three months.

It could be considered by some a crazy idea. But it will be a "controlled, planned-out craziness" :D